What is an idol? Well, according to Tim Keller, it is:?‘Anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.’
The question we need to ask ourselves is not so much ‘if’ we have idols in our lives, but what they actually are. Tim Keller does not let any of us off lightly; family, children, money, achievement, acclaim, beauty, morality, security . . . . most of the idols in our lives are good things, but in the author’s own words, they have become ‘ultimate things.’
In this very challenging book, Tim Keller helps us to discern the idols in our own hearts. As he helpfully points out, many of these are hidden idols, ones we are probably in denial about. However, the truth is, we are all riddled with idolatry. Idols are often good things taken too far, they can look pious, religious, even wear the mask of godliness, but they are destructive to the human heart if they are taking the place of God.
But what do we do once we have discovered these idols in our hearts? Well, the author takes us on a journey of ‘idol replacement.’?‘ Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractive to your heart than your idol.’
This is an excellent book which is tremendously revealing when read carefully and thoroughly. It may not be a pleasant experience to identify the idols in your own heart, but we can never have a truly intimate relationship with God if other people of things have captured our hearts more than him. An excellent help!